So much for those who said only Bernie Ecclestone is able to negotiate race hosting contracts. Since his de facto departure from Formula 1's driving seat in late January, the incoming owner of its commercial rights, Liberty Media Group - currently undergoing metamorphosis as it converts to Formula One Group - has agreed two contract extensions, the Canadian Grand Prix's renewal running through to 2029 at that!

Even Sochi's deal, to 2025 is not too shabby. That comes hot on the heels of announcements that local finance house VTB Group takes over as title sponsors of this year's Russian race as part of a move by promoter NPJSC to sever financial ties with the national government.

The next circuit likely to renew is Shanghai, particularly given that next month's edition is the last under the current contract. The Shanghai local government recently published a paper called 'Shanghai Sports Industry Development Program 2016-2020', with the grand prix identified as a must-keep, showpiece event.

South African-born Dieter trained as industrial engineer before holding down a variety of senior motor industry marketing and manufacturing positions. At the age of 40 he decided to follow his passion, and became the first and only South African journalist to cover Formula 1 regularly. Dieter joined AtlasF1 at the beginning of 2004 – a year prior to its merger with Autosport – and his regular column offers an intriguing analysis of F1’s politicking and commercial chicanery. Although now also proudly Belgian, he gives his domicile as "Wherever F1 duplicity lurks".

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